Calling it a "HACRA", since it's 1) a hack, 2) on a Hobie and 3) idea from a NACRA. I really like the way that NACRA rudders are installed, with no fiddling around with rudder pins. Had some extra gudgeons and stainless rod laying around, so why not make my own? Pleae excuse the pics as this is before the pintles were cleaned up, welds ground etc.
Getting ready to weld-


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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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Cut apart and welding the bottom of gudgeon and only lightly tacking top (full weld won't allow rudder to slide all the way down properly)


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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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Test setup to see if it works:


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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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Measurements - the top one has to be shorter than the bottom to clear the hull lip:



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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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On the hull -
The first picture is of the T-nut kind of thing I used. It's not really a T-nut, but a stainless type of T-nut thing with 2 holes in each one. The idea is that I cleaned the paint off and gelcoat down, along with a a sightly sloppy smaller hole to receive the threaded part of the T. The slightly larger drilled hole is to accommodate thickened epoxy. To install, I fixed the T-nuts to the spring plate, then epoxied them in place to make sure they lined up right. I was sure to add a little Tefgel to the tip of the screws so they wouldn't get glued in. I cleared off a perfect circle using a forstner bit VERY CAREFULLY. The T-nuts got really cleaned up and roughed up with a dremel tool for some tooth for the epoxy to grab, along with those 2 holes that are made into the T-nuts.:

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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I wish my old 5.2 had the QR setup. I see Murray's has these for $20-30 ea, plus $10 for the tab. Wonder If I could weld an pin (or just put in a bolt/nut) to convert my original gudgeons to the modern style. Half the moving parts means half the slop.

Terrible welds btw. jk.

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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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And the final result:

Worked nicely (I think...we'll see):


The rudders snap on really nice/quickly. Very smooth, no binding and holds down nicely. I've taken to putting a drop or 2 of super glue to keep the bushings in the castings (not loosing them) as one or 2 are usually loose. No more ring clips and for the 2 hours of work, I figure I save like 15 minutes each time out and less likely to loose a pin, etc. Also, if it has problems - I just swap back...

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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I agree with you, thank you for sharing.
Global marketing management system

That is very similar to what the Dart uses. No tools required, rudders can be removed in about 2 seconds.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Follow-up.

Works PERFECTLY. Won't be going back - soooo easy. Looks like Hobie di this for their Getaways after seeing up-close pictures of their pintles, except they use that keyed metal tab to hold them on instead of the spring clip. I do, however have to take the top washer off the top pintles and put them on the bottom ones when trailering as they apparently bounce out down the road... The clip keep them in.

I can now get the entire rudder assembly, cross bar, etc. on and off the boat in under 5 minutes, easily. Probably like under 2 minutes, actually. Now to simplify other areas....

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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